May I share an experience: While living in Austin, Tx, I traveled by plane in my work. One day, returning to Austin, the plane landed at San Angelo, where an elderly gentleman boarded and took the seat next to mine. He asked me where I was from. I said, "Austin, Texas." "You are not a Texan," he said, noting my lack of a Texas drawl. I said that I was originally from Utah. "Are you a Mormon?" he asked. I admitted that I was. "Do you know Spencer Kimball?" I replied that I knew who he was, but I was not personally acquainted with him. He said, "I want to tell you a story about him. When I was growing up in Safford, AZ, Spencer was my best friend. As we reached maturity we went our separate ways. Spencer became active in your Church and I opened a general store. One night my store caught fire and caused much damaged. The next day, Spencer called all the people of his stake together, and they went to work cleaning and building anew what was damaged. In a few days I was back in business. I tried to make a donation to their stake, but Spencer refused. But I always remember that I have a great friend. I wish I could hire the type of people who showed me what SERVICE is about."
Receiving no news from this company, Ltc. Bascom takes this opportunity to brag about what this company is achieving. The trade blanket is well worth having! The cost involves a contribution to pay for the monument to those who died in San Diego. I encourage all to make a contribution, even if you decide to forego the blanket.
Also, the National Staff commends Co. "B" and its officers for helping to stage the drama, "Company B." This musical protrays the Battalion in a truer light than any drama has yet done. There are many scenes which are historically accurate. For instance: Dr. Sanderson's concoction of calomel and arsenic; Mrs. Bandini's portrayal of handing the folded flag to the departing Battalion; the prayers that changed the mind of Col. Cooke when he was ordered to go to Mexico instead of to California; Even the lines spoken by "Brigham Young" and "Col. Cooke" are taken from history. In the San Diego Seagull, a Latter Day Saint publication, much praise was given to this production. We wish to add our congratulations. More such honest portrayals of Mormon history should be produced. Great going, Co. "B"!
The guards looked sharp as Kane Company raised the flag at the gazebo for the July 4th ceremony, and Miss Kane County sang the National Anthem, followed by a rifle salute. Then the Battalion led the parade with the American Legion accompanying. Ladies of the Battalion followed in a surrey. The flag remained aloft, being illuminated at night. Pioneer Day was a busy one, as we also assisted in preparing the barbecue dinner in the park. We fed over 350 people, enjoyed a program afterwards, and plan to use the proceeds to finance uniforms for our men. Great work, Kane Company! We feel sorry that we missed it!